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BSH Opens UK's Largest Appliance Warehouse

Just over six months after the acquisition of land and agreement to build a brand new 430,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art warehouse, UK kitchen appliance group BSH Home Appliances Limited has opened the doors of the UK's largest distribution & logistics centre for kitchen appliances.

This impressive purpose built development in Kettering marks a significant investment in the UK market by BSH - the number one appliance manufacturer & supplier in Europe and second largest in the UK - with well-known brand names: Bosch, Neff, Siemens, Gaggenau and Viva.

Located around 50 miles from the company's head office in Wolverton, Milton Keynes, the new 19.12 acre Kettering site at the ProLogis Business Park in Northamptonshire comprises a 397,500 sq.ft warehouse plus an additional 30,000 sq.ft in office accommodation.

With UK appliance sales growing year on year (currently totalling £480 million in the UK), BSH is planning ahead for future growth of the company. The opening of this new distribution centre more than doubles current capacity in anticipation of further improvements to the national supply chain network. The Kettering site on the A41 was chosen for its excellent access to main roads, proximity to the East Coast ports and the bespoke layout adapted to BSH's specific requirements. There are 30 loading bays and 4 entry doors to expedite the significant number of lorries arriving daily from all over Europe.

 
(Left) Local mayor Matt Lynch cutting the ribbon to offically open the new warehouse and (right) CEO Uwe Hanneck welcoming guests

An additional 76 new jobs have already been created by BSH at Kettering, with at least 40 more new staff expected in due course. A regional centre for the after sales service company Appliance Care Ltd will also be located here.

In his welcomimg address, group sales and marketing director Jean Dufour said:

'In 2005, BSH posted sales worth some 7.3 billion euros. This means that we succeeded in boosting our global sales by around 7 percent over the previous year's figure - an impressive performance in an extremely tricky operating environment, characterised by falling prices, scarce and dearer raw materials and a tougher competitive situation resulting from the rapid globalisation of our sector.

'BSH-UK has made a significant contribution to these figures, and the British market is enormously important to BSH. With a total BSH volume of 469 million pounds, it is, after Germany, our second largest home appliance market in Europe. And we are looking to develop still further here. Already the market-leader in Europe, we fully intend to build on this strong position. Of BSH's 35,000 or so employees, almost four-fifths are based in Europe, with 14,000 of these occupied in Germany alone.

'The construction of this logistics centre in Kettering marks an important milestone for our growth strategy in the UK market.'

BSH's UK Group Marketing Manager, Ekkehard Rabold added: 'The Kettering site illustrates our long term commitment to the UK economy. Our trade customers have high expectations of our pre- and post sales service; our aim is to keep them satisfied both now and in the future.'

Electrolux Announces New Brand Communication Platform

Electrolux, the global household appliance manufacturer, is launching a new communication platform with the selling line ‘Electrolux - Thinking of You’. The new line reflects the brand's focus on innovation & product development based on genuine insights and understanding of consumers' needs, wants and desires ... an understanding based on a commitment to extensive primary research ahead of Product Development into how people 'choose' and 'use' home appliances.

The new communication platform will be launched to consumers across Europe in the first half of 2006 with an advertising campaign - print and TV - developed by Lowe Brindfors in Sweden. All advertising will focus upon a specific 'u.s.p' (unique selling point) and deliver this message or consumer benefit by presenting the product in a dramatic way, using artistic photography or film that plays with scale or the context in which the product is displayed.

Electrolux Major Appliances and Floorcare UK spearhead the way with this campaign with 3 press creatives and a TV campaign from mid-April to support the launch and development of the 'Electrolux Insight Range' - and then an ongoing promotional calendar spanning the whole year.... over £5 Million, specifically to drive and growth the Electrolux brand.

Commenting on the new campaign, Andy Mackay - UK Brand & Marketing Director, said:-
‘This represents the largest investment within the UK to date to grow the Electrolux brand across the home. The positioning - 'Thinking of You' - is entirely unique in representing our commitment to understanding and acting upon consumer 'insight' and understanding.’

The 'hand-written' words above the logo reflect the engagement with consumer needs, based on deep consumer insight and research. Electrolux will use ‘Thinking of You’ as its main message in all forms of communication, beyond mainstream advertising, such as internet, PR, literature and point-of-sale materials.

The Appliance of Science is Back!

Electrolux Group has announced the revival of iconic white goods slogan: Zanussi - The Appliance of Science.

Billed by many as one of the most famous advertising slogans of all time, the Zanussi ‘Appliance of Science’ theme is back and updated for the 21st Century.

This time the famous strapline 'Appliance of Science' will be used in conjunction with the dual branded Zanussi-Electrolux - and the focus will be upon the 'Jetsystem' Zanussi washing technology and other innovations.

Andy Mackay, UK Brand & Marketing Director, Electrolux Major Appliances & Floorcare comments,
‘The Appliance of Science as a slogan is clearly part of the Zanussi brand DNA - and an iconic and an instant association, a 'signature' to the brand. We believe many retailers will welcome back the strong messaging which sits perfectly with the brand's focus on modern design, strong innovation and making consumers lives easier’

A £2 million consumer press campaign supporting the Zanussi-Electrolux kitchen appliance range will commence from April '06 and is part of a £10 million marketing investment the Electrolux Group is placing across its portfolio this year.

Organic Growth and Improved Profits for Nobia in a Weaker Market

Estimates suggest that demand in the UK market has fallen by around 6-7 per cent in 2005 compared with 2004. Nobia's organic growth was negative at 5 per cent.

lnvestments in the store network continued according to plan. A special initiative has been focused on large stores located centrally in major cities and the stores that have been renovated have produced favourable results. Changes are being made at the Darlington plant, where completion of a transition to order-based production is expected in the first half of 2006.

Development on the Nordic markets remained strong. Demand in 2005 is estimated to have been 7 per cent higher than in 2004. Organic sales growth, meanwhile, was 13 per cent for the Nordic business. Two important factors behind the strong sales growth, in addition to general market growth, were extended co-operation with key customers and the ongoing store investments.

'In our key markets in continental Europe - i.e. Germany, the Netherlands and Austria - we estimate that demand has fallen by around 4 per cent in 2005 compared with 2004. Meanwhile organic growth for Nobia's Continental business was around 3 per cent. Higher exports were the main driver behind the increase.'

For the full year, net sales climbed 10 per cent to reach SEK 12,4$2 million (11,337) and the Group's organic growth reached 3 per cent. Organic growth in Q4 was also 3 per cent. The operating profit (EBIT) for the full year reached SEK 954 million (930), including a cost of SEK 30 million for the action programme in the UK market. The operating profit climbed in both the Nordic and Continental European businesses, but fell in the UK business due to a weaker market. The Group's operating profit in Q4 rose to SEK 270 million (236).

Store investments continued throughout the year with the aim of boosting market shares in all business areas. For the Group as a whole, 28 new stores were opened, of which 8 were DIY stores. A total of 101 stores were refurbished. At year-end, Nobia had a total of 557 whally owned or franchise stores.

The profit after financial items was up 5 per cent at SEK 885 million (840). Work aimed at freeing up capital in the business has succeeded and cash flow after investments, but before the acquisition of subsidiaries, improved to reach SEK 652 million (634). Return on shareholders' equity amounted to 22.6 per cent for the full year (25.7).

Earnings per share were up by 8 per cent to SEK 11.01 (10.23). In the period 2001-2005 the average increase in earnings per share was 16 per cent per year, compared with the target average of 12 per cent per year.

The UK business
Net sales reached SEK 5,037 million (5,295), which meant a decline of 5 per cent. Excluding currency effects, sales for comparable units fell by 5 per cent.

The fall in sales is primarily due to the consumer segment and covers both rigid and flat-pack products. Magnet's sales to professional customers in the Trade segment were on a par with last year. Higher sales for kitchen interiors were offset by lower sales for joinery products.

Within the framework of the ongoing store investment programme at Magnet, 24 refurbished stores were re-opened during the year, out of a total of 204 stores. Sales have increased in the stores that have undergone the refurbishment programme.

The operating profit fell to SEK 255 million (355). This included SEK 30 million in costs for a completed action programme, which was reported during the second quarter. Lower sales volumes mainly in the consumer segment affected the operating profit negatively. The gross margins for kitchen interiors, both rigid and flat-pack, improved. The completed action programme boosted profits from Q3 on. Higher overheads impacted negatively on results.

The operating margin fell to 5.1 per cent (6.7). Excluding costs for the action programme, the margin was 5.7 per cent.

Q4 2005
Sales were up by 4 per cent to SEK 1,300 million (1,250). Excluding currency effects, sales for comparable units fell by 3 per cent, which was a lower decline than in preceding quarters. During the quarter sales of kitchens to professional customers in the Trade segment increased, while sales of fitted kitchens in the consumer segment remained weak compared with the same quarter in 2004.

The operating profit was SEK 74 million (63). The operating margin rose to 5.7 per cent from 5.0 per cent in the same quarter last year.

Whirlpool Suggests Sale of Hoover Floorcare Division

Whirlpool Corporation acknowledged on February 3rd the announcement by Maytag Corporation that it expects to evaluate alternative strategies for its floor-care products line and commercial businesses, including their possible sale.

'Under the framework of the merger agreement, we have the right to approve the sale of significant assets by Maytag, including these businesses,' said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool’s chairman and chief executive officer.

'Whirlpool looks forward to reviewing any proposals Maytag may present, within the framework of our merger agreement. The company has no additional comment at this time.'

Maytag Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2005 Results

Maytag Corporation announced on February 3rd fourth quarter consolidated sales of $1.24 billion, up 6.6 percent from sales of $1.16 billion in the same period last year.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $75 million or 93 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $14.1 million, or 18 cents per share, a year ago. Diluted loss per share for the fourth quarters of 2005 and 2004 included the following items:

Fourth quarter 2005 results were impacted by restructuring charges of $42.1 million recorded primarily in connection with the closing of the Florence, South Carolina, plant, which was announced in the fourth quarter. A $13.8 million non-cash asset impairment charge related to a laundry product line and a goodwill impairment charge of $4.5 million involving a commercial cooking business were recorded in the quarter. In addition, $10.2 million of merger-related expenses associated with the pending sale of the company to Whirlpool impacted the quarter. Last year's quarterly results included restructuring and related charges of $14.8 million and a $15 million charge for front-load washer litigation.

In the fourth quarter of 2005, net sales were up 6.9 percent in Home Appliances, driven by solid sales in all major appliance categories, especially refrigeration.

Compared with the prior year period, sales of floor care products were down significantly for the quarter. Maytag Services continued its strong performance with double-digit revenue growth versus a year ago, while Maytag International revenues were down slightly. In the fourth quarter, Commercial Products net sales were down 1.1 percent from the same period a year ago.

Operating results were negatively impacted by lower utilisation of manufacturing capacity, a disappointing performance in floor care due to continued volume decline and price erosion, as well as higher distribution costs.

Maytag Chairman and CEO Ralph Hake said, 'We showed solid top-line sales growth during the quarter with increases in all our major appliance product categories. However, I am extremely disappointed that our positive sales gains in major appliances were more than offset by our overall high cost structure and poor floor care performance.'

Hake emphasised, 'Improving our financial results is the top priority for Maytag. We will address our profitability over the next several quarters by continuing to pursue business improvement initiatives. We also expect to evaluate alternative strategies for our floor care product line and commercial businesses, including their possible sale.'

During the quarter, the company also entered into a new $600 million, five-year, senior-secured revolving credit agreement. The new credit agreement should provide the company with substantially more financial flexibility, including the capacity to refinance all 2006 debt maturities, as well as providing working capital needed to operate the business. Maytag has the ability to increase the new credit facility by $150 million to $750 million.

In the fourth quarter, Maytag certified substantial compliance with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice in response to the request for additional information ('second request') regarding the proposed merger with Whirlpool Corporation. On December 22nd, 2005, Maytag shareholders overwhelmingly approved the proposed merger agreement with Whirlpool with 97.8 percent of the voted shares cast in favor of the merger.

The proposed merger is currently being reviewed by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. In order to facilitate the review, Whirlpool and Maytag have agreed not to close the proposed merger before February 27, 2006, without the Antitrust Division's concurrence, although the Antitrust Division may request additional time for review. Whirlpool and Maytag continue to expect the transaction to close as early as the first quarter of 2006.

Full-Year Performance
Maytag's net sales for the full fiscal year 2005 were $4.9 billion, up 3.8 percent from the $4.72 billion reported for fiscal 2004. Net loss for fiscal 2005 was $81.9 million or $1.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $9 million or 11 cents per share a year ago. Diluted loss per share for the full fiscal years of 2005 and 2004 included the following items:

Full-year 2005 results included restructuring and related charges of $52.8 million, a non-cash asset impairment charge related to a laundry product line of $13.8 million and a goodwill impairment charge of $4.5 million involving a commercial cooking business. In addition to these expenses, $19.7 million of net merger-related expenses impacted results in 2005. Prior year results included restructuring and related charges of $69.8 million, a $33.5 million charge for front-load washer litigation, a $9.6 million goodwill impairment charge related to the previously mentioned commercial cooking business and a $9.7 million gain on the sale of a warehouse.

Home Appliances sales for 2005 were $4.66 billion, up 4.6 percent from fiscal 2004. This growth was spurred by increases in major appliances, both in domestic and international markets. Maytag Services' revenues were up double-digit for the full year. Commercial Products' sales were down 10.1 percent, impacted by declining sales in the vending industry.

Operating loss for fiscal 2005 was $37.1 million, compared with operating income of $40.3 million in the prior 12-month period. Factors negatively impacting full-year results, in addition to the restructuring and impairments previously mentioned, included: higher raw material and distribution costs; lower utilisation of manufacturing capacity, primarily in laundry and floor care; and declines in sales and margins for floor care products and vending equipment.

Wolseley Spends £72m on Three Further Acquisitions: £500m so Far This Year

Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials, announced on 8th February three further acquisitions.

Since the beginning of the financial year on 1st August 2005, a total of 25 distribution businesses in Europe and North America have been acquired for an aggregate consideration of approximately £508 million. These 25 acquisitions are expected to add approximately £806 million to group turnover in a full year.

Goodwill and intangible assets related to these acquisitions is estimated to be around £326 million.

US Building Materials Distribution
On 1st February 2006, Stock Building Supply ('Stock') acquired Universal Supply Co., Inc. ('Universal') a diversified distributor of building materials, from members of the Umosella family. The acquisition gives Stock its first presence in the state of New Jersey operating from seven branches. Universal is the market leader in southern New Jersey with a well diversified customer base of local building contractors. In the year ended 31 December 2005 Universal had sales of $142.0 million (£80.0 million) and gross assets of $40.9 million (£23.0 million) at that date.

European Distribution
On 1st February 2006 PBM acquired Alain Carrelage, a floor tiling distributor from Alain Tarbouriech, Bernadette Tarbouriech, Odette Tarbouriech, William Tarbouriech, Alex Vial, Denise Lagondrille and Bernard Gau. Alain Carrelage has one outlet in Labege, a suburb of Toulouse, in France. In the year ended 31st December 2004 it had sales of Euro4.0 million (£2.7 million) and gross assets of Euro0.9 million (£0.6 million) at that date.

On 3rd February 2006 PBM agreed to acquire DAFI, a distributor of heavy side products from Daniel Audin and other shareholders. The acquisition is subject to the French Finance Ministry's approval following which, closing is expected in April 2006. DAFI operates from 18 branches in the Rhone-Alpes region of South East France with a customer base of generalist builders' merchants. In the year ended 31st December 2004 DAFI generated turnover of Euro64.7 million (£44.0 million) and had gross assets of Euro25.9 million (£17.6 million) at that date.

Charlie Banks, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley said:
'We are delighted to announce these new acquisitions which will further strengthen our presence in Europe and North America and take our total spend in just over six months to more than £500 million, twice our annual target spend. I am particularly pleased that Stock has entered its 31st US state and that PBM is expanding in the South East of France, both illustrating how Wolseley is expanding its geographic footprint for future growth.'

Roman Changes at the Top

Roman Limited, the UK shower manufacturer, has announced a change to its senior management team as it drives forward into 2006.

Company founder and current Managing Director, Gerry Osborne, is to take on a new role as Chairman, with David Osborne stepping up from Marketing Director to take over the day-to-day running of the firm, as Managing Director.

To complete the changes, Loraine Gamblin, who has been with Roman for three years as Marketing Manager, will become the new Marketing Director.

The restructure is due to the massive growth of the firm over recent years and signals a major change for the County Durham-based company.

(left to right) Roman Chairman, Gerry Osborne; Marketing Director, Loraine Gamblin and Managing Director, David Osborne (front).

Since it was founded in 1985, Roman has grown into a major shower manufacturer employing over 200 staff, has its own fleet of 18 vehicles to supply products all over the UK, and has broken into the world export market sending products as far as Asia and North and South America.

Such has been the demand for Roman products, the company has recently developed a new website that has been translated into several different languages. Roman also has a number of exciting new products to be launched throughout the coming year. These products will include additions to existing ranges, such as the space maximising Orbital collection, and a new integrated water delivery options to the Roman Waterfall collection of modern shower valves.

2006 also sees the launch of a brand new collection. Launched at KBB 2006 in January, the Roman Sculptures range is Roman’s first completely top end collection. It features 10mm thick toughened glass and contemporary minimal framing. It is set to reinforce Roman as the UK market leader.

Roman also has its own specialist in-house design team which is constantly looking at innovative ways of developing Shower Enclosures, Shower Heads Valves, and Trays.

To meet with demand, the factory has also undergone a range of extensions over the past 12 months which include; a new state-of-the-art showroom to display all of Roman’s products, a new tray plant so Roman can design and manufacture their award-winning low-level tray on site and an additional 7,500 square foot extension to Roman’s distribution centre in Daventry.

Managing Director, David Osborne, said: '2006 will see Roman going from strength-to-strength and maintaining its position as the most innovative and leading shower manufacturer in the UK. There are plans for further expansion with the possibility of new jobs and there are exciting times ahead for the company.'

New Marketing Director, Loraine Gamblin, said: 'I have had three great years with Roman and am delighted that I will be at the hub of the company’s growth over the coming years. Roman is always looking at ways of developing exciting new products to give consumers the best possible showering options and experiences. My new role will be both challenging and rewarding and is one I am definitely looking forward to.'

Gemini Appoints Reginox as Preferred Supplier of Sinks and Taps

Gemini Kitchens, the specialist supplier of continental style kitchens to the house building industry, has appointed Reginox UK as its preferred supplier of sinks and taps.

The appointment marks a successful six year relationship between the two businesses. During this time both businesses have grown considerably in terms of both profile and market share with Gemini forecast to turn over £4.5million this year and Reginox now offering one of the largest ranges of sinks and taps available in the UK.

Managing Director of Gemini Kitchens, Charles Garratt, said: ‘Innovative and stylish design is at the heart of our business. In order to maintain our competitive edge it is vital we have access to an extensive collection of high quality, modern and traditional sinks and taps in a wide variety of styles, shapes, sizes and finishes. We need to also know that the product will arrive in perfect condition, on time and every time. Reginox has proved it can meet these needs.’

This year Reginox has extended its offer to include the full Reginox worldwide product range. This means that UK customers, like Gemini, now have access to more than 120 sinks, including stainless steel, ceramic, composite and granite finishes.

Reginox Sales and Marketing Director, Dave Mayer, said: ‘Gemini has supported the Reginox business from our early years in the UK market. I am extremely proud that during this time we have been able to meet the company's requirements for stylish product, which is competitively priced and supported by efficient customer service, and that this effort has been rewarded with our status as preferred supplier.’

The two businesses have worked together on many high profile residential developments on behalf of a broad range of house builders. These include Crosby Homes' Clarence Dock development in Leeds, Morris Homes' flagship Worthington Park development near Wigan and David McLean's conversion of a former 19th Century monastery in Pont Asaph, North Wales.

Gemini Kitchens is a specialist supplier of kitchens to the house building industry, providing a complete design, manufacture and installation service. To find out more please call 0161 703 9903 or visit http://www.geminikitchens.co.uk.

Reginox UK provides an extensive range of quality and stylish sinks, taps and accessories to the retail, merchant and house builder markets. For more information please call 01260 280033 or or visit http://www.reginox.co.uk.

Stars and Stripes for Clearwater Collection

Clearwater Collection, the manufacturer of luxury handmade freestanding acrylic baths, has recently crossed the pond to launch its collection in America. The new business will be known as Clearwater America and will include a range of freestanding and contemporary baths as well as the patented spa system, Clearspa.

Darren Allison, managing director of Clearwater Collection, is thoroughly excited about the venture. He comments: ‘We have successfully taken the Clearwater brand to Europe and the Middle East and feel that the time is now right for us to enter the American market. There is definitely a niche in the market for acrylic freestanding baths that combine exceptional levels of quality and design with affordability. Our contemporary designs are quite different to what is currently available, so we are expecting the modern designs in particular to be a huge hit.

‘We are confident that our baths will prove to be extremely popular in America and have invested in a new office and warehouse facility in North Haven. We will also be exhibiting at KBIS in Chicago (21-23rd April).'

Clearwater Collection specialises in the manufacture of double-skin acrylic freestanding baths and prides itself on the quality of its baths along with the vast range of designs it offers, covering both traditional and contemporary styles.

Clearwater Collection Limited presently exports to 25 countries and numbers celebrities amongst its clients (including Paul McCartney, Victoria and David Beckham and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi).All Clearwater products feature the distinctive Clearwater badge, which serves as a hallmark of excellence, and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Tel: 01274 738140
Email: enquiries@clearwater-collection.com
Web: http://www.clearwater-collection.com

Grohe Unveils 2006 Brand Strategy

Grohe started 2006 with an array of new products and a new brand strategy, designed to heighten awareness amongst trading partners and consumers alike, of the qualities that have made Grohe the international brand leader it is and specifically, how the technologies used by Grohe translate into products that give the owner enhanced enjoyment and pleasure.

The claim 'Water Technology' has been replaced by Enjoy Water in a move that Marketing Director of Grohe UK David Doust says defines the company's ethos.

'Grohe makes the best quality bathroom and kitchen fittings available, and it's because of our expertise gained over forty years designing and manufacturing bathroom fittings, that we make products where quality features translate into performance benefits that the end user really can feel and enjoy, thanks to a variety of technological advances that have been endorsed by the leading figures in their field'.

New brochures, point of sale material, advertising and marketing messages will in future emphasise styling, luxury, and the exhilaration of the senses that Grohe owners can experience.

David Doust says ‘Six key features collectively, and in some cases individually, separate Grohe from other manufacturers: superior chrome for outstanding and durable visual aesthetics, precision engineering that oozes quality and ensures reliability, meticulous assembly and quality components inside shower handsets makes every nozzle function as well as its neighbour, and a new generation of thermostats sets new standards of performance, with split second response to pressure and temperature fluctuations. Silent operation and protection from scalding caused by accidental skin contact complete the features inventory.’

The features:
Grohe StarLight®, the deep chrome finish made possible by the company's chrome plating process developed over forty years, resists scratches and maintains good-as-new looks.

Beneath the highly polished exterior, the owner will experience the quality of Grohe SilkMove®, the technology that gives Grohe taps their luxury feel in use. Grohe manufactures its own cartridges to exacting standards (every new tap is tested 22,500 times, the equivalent of six actions per day for ten years) and the advanced ceramic alloy is lubricated with a special Teflon lubricant that makes the action smooth and reassuring.

For convenience, comfort and safety, shower thermostats feature Grohe TurboStat®, a new generation of thermostatic cartridge that enables pin-point accuracy of temperature setting and rapid response to any fluctuation in pressure. Owners can shower confident that the temperature will be swiftly reached and accurately maintained.

Once the water reaches the shower head, Grohe DreamSpray® technology ensures that an equal flow of water is delivered to each and every nozzle for all round showering. Inside the shower head is an advanced 'shower engine' consisting of components that are the heart of the shower. SpeedClean® nozzles repel lime scale and require only to be wiped clean to maintain performance.

Two additional features of Grohe's product range are Grohe CoolTouch® - a safety feature that consists of an internal hot water pipe-way that is isolated from the exterior piping or handset casing, eliminating the potential for burns that can arise when touching hot supply pipes, mixer taps and shower handsets and Grohe WhisPer® - the silent operation of Grohe faucets so the only audible sound is the reassuring and relaxing one of the water flowing from the tap or shower.

Marketing Director David Doust says: ‘Better quality equals better performance equals more pleasure at the point of use. We are alone in having designed a range that offers so many products that combine all of these features as standard. As a brand, Grohe is therefore better, more special and clearly differentiated from the competition, and these technologies are supported by tests to prove they outperform other products on the market. With the introduction of simple, descriptive names for our technologies such as Grohe WhisPer® and Grohe TurboStat®, Grohe has introduced a clear new language to describe the 'quality' of Grohe products in a rational and emotional way, giving re-sellers the ammunition to command higher margins and users a clear understanding of how they should judge and compare Grohe to other products they are researching’.

Hanneck Takes the Spotlight at KBB Review Industry Awards

Highly respected kitchen and bathroom industry stalwart Uwe Hanneck has been presented with a Special Achievement Award at the recent KBB Review Industry Awards for his hard work in promoting and improving standards in the industry over the past 33 years. The CEO of the BSH Home Appliance Group was thrilled to receive the commendation, which was presented to great applause from the audience of one thousand retailers, designers and manufacturers.

Uwe Hanneck (on right) receiving his award from Tony Nicholas, chairman of KBSA and Paula Dorrell of sponsors Hansgrohe

‘I am most grateful for this unexpected honour and would like to thank the industry - manufacturers as well as retailers and distributors - for all their support to date. Walking up to receive this prestigious award, I realised that I had spent half my life in this industry. Looking forward rather than back, there are still plenty of challenges ahead, such as building up the National Training Group for the Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom industries. I fully intend to continue contributing as much as I can to an industry that has personally given me so much,’ comments Hanneck.

Since taking the helm at BSH in 1983, Hanneck has strengthened and solidified the presence of its brands in the UK market and, in the process, has become one of the industry's most highly respected and admired members. As well as being chairman of AMDEA, the domestic appliance manufacturing trade association, Hanneck can be credited for his role in helping to establish REPIC (the producers' recycling compliance scheme) last year, and he is also chairman of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom National Training Group (KBB NTG), a government funded industry-training initiative.

The Special Achievement Award was sponsored by Hansgrohe, and the company's md Iain McKinlay was delighted with the judges decision: ‘Whilst we did not participate in the choice of this accolade, Hansgrohe has no questions as to the recipient of this prestigious award. Personally I have known Uwe for more than 20 years, a period of time that has seen huge change in kitchen retailing. In that time Uwe has been pivotal in adapting Neff to the constantly changing market conditions, and at the same time maintained the image and importance of the Neff brand name. Finally, not only has Uwe achieved all of this he is also a perfect gentleman in every respect,’ commented McKinlay.

A Hat Trick for Kitchen Culture

There's just no stopping Kitchen Culture. For the third consecutive year the company has been rewarded with yet another prestigious industry award; Marketing for kitchens. On Monday 23rd January 2006, Directors of Kitchen Culture, Mark Parameter and Percy Contractor took to the stage at the industry's annual Kbbreview Bathroom and Kitchen award ceremony (held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole,) to be crowned winners.

The marketing for kitchens award recognised the strong emphasis Kitchen Culture puts into the full marketing mix. Judges particularly appreciated the committed awareness it has of its target market: an area that is surprisingly often overlooked.

Percy Contractor, Director of Kitchen Culture comments: ‘We proudly opened our showroom in 2003 and won the coveted showroom award in 2004, we won the designer and international designer of the year award in 2005 and to make the hat trick, we have now won the marketing award. This is proof of our commitment to the product, our position and the people who make our team the foremost in this equation. We are extending this year to be even more comprehensive with our products and design and look forward to what is already proving to be a busy 2006.’

Jasem Marketing is equally proud with Managing Director John Shanahan commenting: ‘It is particularly pleasing to be involved with a forward thinking entrepreneurial company. The dedication it shows its customers from first contact right through to completion is exemplary; and I'm pleased this has been recognised within the industry.’

Kitchen Culture offers exclusive kitchen solutions that are tailor-made to suit individual needs.

Tel: 01372 468 469
Web: http://www.kitchen-culture.co.uk

Masco 'Top Brass' Strips Off for Charity!

Anyone who visited KBB couldn't have failed to notice the Bristan stand complete with dancers strutting their stuff every hour, on the hour, to the thumping beat of Madonna.

Six professional dancers took centre stage to draw the crowds at the Bristan stand by performing a carefully choreographed dance routine in a working shower to demonstrate the versatility of Bristan's new showering products.

On the final day of the show, a surprise announcement went out over the tannoy that two members of the Masco team were going to don their swimming attire and entertain the crowds themselves, all in the name of charity. Normally more accustomed to meeting and greeting customers in their suits, Gary Lake (Vice President Strategic Development - Masco Europe) and Hannah Bird (PA to Steve Lee, CEO of the Bristan Group and Rogers Williams, Bristan's MD) stripped off into a much more informal look!

The pair duly donned their bathers in front of a bigger crowd than even the professional dancers had enticed and did their very own 'Bristan boogie' while a bucket was passed around the crowd to raise funds.

Such was the admiration for the pair that a grand total of over £3,000 was raised for their efforts in just a few minutes which has been donated to two charities; St Giles Hospice and a Romanian orphanage.

Commenting on his moment in the spotlight Gary Lake says: ‘We decided that anything the professionals could do, we could do better... or at least we could raise some money for charity in the process! Hannah was a terrific sport, so I couldn't back out on the day and leave her to dance alone. While I'm not accustomed to dancing in front of an audience, particularly in the shower in my swimming trunks, we decided to give it our best shot.’

‘I was surprised by the number of people that came over to the stand but everyone was very generous which made all the embarrassment worthwhile. Maybe next time we won't need to employ professional dancers, we'll be able to recruit from within our ranks! It certainly adds a new dimension to the concept of the Masco Experience!’

Double Top for Victoria & Albert

Freestanding specialist Victoria & Albert is bucking a slow market with its best ever trading figures.

Leading international freestanding bath specialists Victoria & Albert are enjoying a double celebration - both a hugely successful KBB 2006 and unprecedented worldwide volume sales figures. The home market was a major powerhouse of this growth for the Telford-based company, as they notched up an 11% increase on UK volume and an impressive +19% worldwide in the six months ending December 2005. This trend looks set to accelerate following KBB as the brand develops globally with the announcement of new distributors as far a field as New Zealand, Spain, France, Belgium and Luxembourg secured at the show.

Visitors to KBB showed enormous interest in Victoria & Albert's new and existing models, in particular the Freedom Collection - three luxury baths designed with UK bathrooms firmly in mind. The Antibes, Nice and Cannes share an impressively deep double ended bathing well that fits easily into a 1,700mm space and are available in either freestanding or built-in versions.

'January has marked a double milestone for Victoria & Albert - both our most successful KBB to date and our best volume sales figures ever - 19% above our previous best ever month. Worldwide sales in the seven months to the end of January show a +32% increase in volume over the previous year with strong performances in Europe, North America, Australasia and Africa,' says Victoria & Albert Group Managing Director, Joe Matthews (pictured).

'The Freedom Collection proved a real draw for KBB visitors, as did the Como, which had a fantastic world debut - enjoying all the premium features and comfort of our larger baths, the new models really do prove that great things come in small packages.'

Contact the Victoria & Albert UK head office for their new 2006 brochure on 01952 210 814 or visit www.vandabaths.com.